To celebrate the heroes of La Jolla who keep its beaches safe, the community is giving back in a spirited way — by lighting up the lifeguard tower at Children’s Pool beach. Throughout the week until Dec. 15, volunteer lifeguards will decorate the tower with twinkling lights, which can be donated by members of the community at Meanley & Son Ace Hardware, located at 7756 Girard Ave., or at the lifeguard tower itself, located on Coast Boulevard across from Casa de Manana.

The public is invited to the lighting ceremony on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. at Shell Beach above the lifeguard tower. Organizers are seeking carolers and hot cocoa for the event. Anyone who wishes to donate hot drinks or singing talents can contact Ed Harris at harrisoblp@yahoo.com.

Lifeguards are also collecting toys for Toys for Tots, which can be donated at the lighting ceremony or at any lifeguard tower along San Diego’s coastline.

Group seeks caretakers raising others’ children

The nonprofit organization Grandparents As Parents (GAP) is seeking out grandparents or non-parental relatives who are taking care of a relative’s child because of a death in the family, parental drug or alcohol use, mental illness, neglect or incarceration, among other reasons a child may be separated from their home. GAP recognizes the impact created on these caretakers’ lives and the requirement for many of these relatives to enact a prompt, total change in lifestyle to care for at-risk youth. GAP provides cost-free community-based programs, services and urgent resources to grandparents or others raising children.

For any grandparents or relatives who want to learn more about GAP’s services, visit www.grandparentsasparents.org or call (818) 264-0880.

GAP is also partnering with Y Kinship Support Groups and Toys For Tots for a pancake breakfast and bowling event on Dec. 15 in Vista to help support its programs and services. Anyone interested in attending should RSVP to Suzanne Tracey at educ81@gmail.com or by calling (858) 842-3229.

Jewish teen scholarship seeks recipients

The Helen Diller Family Foundation is seeking out 10 socially conscious Jewish teens from across the nation who dedicate time to make the world a better place through volunteer service projects in their communities. Nominations for the annual Diller Teen Tikkun Olam awards are now open, and this year the foundation will acknowledge more young visionaries than ever before with 10 recipients receiving the $36,000 award nationwide.

Since Bay Area philanthropist Helen Diller made a commitment to empower the next generation of Jewish leaders in 2007 through the award program, 30 teens have been awarded more than $1 million total to advance their vision of tikkun olam, or “repairing the world.”

“It has been a joy to celebrate so many incredible Jewish teens over the past six years and to support their efforts to repair the world,” said Diller, president of the foundation. “The opportunity to empower and nurture teens throughout the entire United States is a dream come true and a simple way to foster the spirit of tikkun olam among our future leaders.”

Teens can be nominated by teachers, community leaders, rabbis and even themselves for the award, though family members cannot nominate a candidate. Teens must be 13 to 19 years old, self-identify as Jewish and must not be compensated for their services to be eligible for nomination. To complete the nomination form, visit www.jewishfed.org/teenawards/process or call (415) 512-6437.